What is a humanoid robot?
Humanity has long dreamed of humanoid robots. Countless works on this subject have already appeared in the literature and in the film world. Today, humanoid robots have become a reality and have appeared in everyday life. But what exactly does a humanoid robot mean?
A humanoid robot is a special service robot that mimics various human gestures and movements. Its appearance is very similar to that of a man. These robots are also used to automate tasks for cost reduction reasons. However, they can also trigger people from certain dangerous jobs.
Similarities between man and robot
Humanoid robots can always only resemble humans to a certain degree. A robot that is perfectly human has not yet been created, at least to the best of our knowledge. Such a robot would be difficult for us to recognize. Maybe they’re already among us, but we don’t know about them?
In designing humanoid robots, scientists are taking into account the phenomenon of the uncanny valley. Basically, the more human a robot is, the cute it is considered. However, in the case of a large but not complete similarity, we find the robot bizarre, scary, scary. This phenomenon is called the uncanny valley.
This is why, for example, in the case of the Pepper robot, there is a clear difference, although the robot is very human, yet this similarity is not so great. Sophia, the invention of Hanson Robotics is already closer to the phenomenon of the uncanny valley, many find it scary. She is already capable of facial expressions, with imitation leather on her face.
What tasks can they perform?
Service robots are used in non-industrial areas. There are customer service staff, receptionists, hostess robots, and even humanoid robots used in hospitals. There are also some special applications: in dangerous areas, such as power plants, humanoid robots are used so as not to endanger the life and health of the human workforce.
As a speciality, research is underway to cultivate human transplant organs in humanoid robots.
Do they take our jobs?
Not according to the current state of the science. However, there will be some reorganization in the labour market: jobs that require creativity will be of increasing value. In automated jobs, however, robots take over tasks.
Cobots that work with humans are becoming more and more popular.
Humanoid robots, on the other hand, are able to trigger humans in dangerous jobs, which I, in turn, see as more positive.
Sources and further readings:
https://www.automate.org/a3-content/service-robots-humanoid-robots
